Transportation Act Brings Needed Repairs and Construction …asce-pgh.org/Resources/Documents/Newsletter/ASCE_Jan_14Web.pdf · YMF ResumeBook deadline. January 22, 2014. 5. ACE mentoring

Volume 96, Number 14 January 2014 www.asce-pgh.org

Transportation Act Brings Needed Repairs and Construction JobsThe December 2013 issue of this newsletter honored those western Pennsylvania legislators who followed Governor Tom Corbett’s leadership to restore some of the long-overdue funding to maintain our surface transportation system.

For example, in Allegheny County, the 1976 Birmingham bridge will receive a $35 million rehabilitation. This is significant, because serious repairs are necessary on the bridge as it has not seen substantial improvements due to insufficient funding. The photo with the folding ruler shows some of the current deterioration to be repaired. 21,000 drive over this bridge seen in the photo, daily.

A small maintenance expense, like routine bridge cleaning as one might routinely vacuum their floors,can prevent major expenses. Unfortunately, with the past lack of funding provided by legislators, improve-ments beyond basic maintenance are challenging. As the adage goes: ‘A stitch in time saves nine’.

The lack of maintenance in this case led to a dramatic failure in 2008 in which normal debris stopped a rocker bearing from returning to its normal position with normal expansion and contraction, and it fell over, dropping the bridge deck about 8 inches and making it unusable for a month. See photo of the failed bearing,

now repaired at a cost many times that of routine maintenance.

PennDOT District Engineer Dan Cessna said "Many lessons are being learned through this (Birmingham Bridge) incident, here and across the nation, that will allow bridge engineers and inspectors to take steps to ensure this does not happen elsewhere. Preventive bridge maintenance was not always our focus due to limited funding but, fortunately, that philosophy has shifted."

This one $35 Million project alone will provide safe transportation,alleviate business-stunting traffic jams and provide about 1000construction jobs and sustain more jobs with area employers.

Continuing Education Made EasyPart 2:

Continuing Education Requirements for Pennsylvania Professional EngineersSam Shamsi, PE, F.ASCE

This is a multi-part series of short articles on Continuing Education. Part 1: Continuing Education Basics was published in the December 2013 issue. In this second part, we will explore the continuing education requirements for professional engineers licensed in Pennsylvania. The entire series can also be accessed from the Continuing Education page of the Pittsburgh Section Web site: http://www.asce-pgh.org/continuingeducation

State Registration BoardPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs provides administrative and legal support to 29 professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions including State Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. Professional licensing protects the health, safety and welfare of the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners. Professionals range from Engineers and Physicians to Cosmetologists and Funeral Directors.

In order to help safeguard life, health and property and to promote the public welfare, the practice of professional engineering, professional land surveying and professional geology in the Commonwealth requires continuing professional competency. Section 4.5(b) of the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law requires that each licensee shall be required to meet the continuing professional competency requirements as a condition for licensure renewal. The Board neither maintains a listing of continuing professional competency activities nor provides preapproval for any continuing professional competency activities, courses or providers. The following information is based on the content from Board’s Web site shown above (Pennsylvania State Board, 2013).

Pennsylvania Registration Board Definitions• Activity: any qualifying activity with a clear purpose and objective which will

maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to a licensee’s professional practice.

• College or unit semester hour or unit quarter hour: credit for courses in programs approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology or other related college courses.

• Continuing education unit: a unit of credit customarily used for continuing education courses.

• Course: any qualifying course with a clear purpose and objective which will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to a licensee’s professional practice.

• Professional development hour or PDH: 50 minutes of instruction or presentation relevant to professional practice or any equivalent.

Pittsburgh Section Newsletter-2-

Est. 1985

Anchors

AugercAst piles

DiAphrAgm wAlls

DrilleD shAfts

grouting

micropiles

secAnt pile wAlls

soil mixing

soil nAil wAlls

solDier pile wAlls

Mid-Atlantic District(412) 221-4500

we are Versatile geotechnical contractors specializing in Deep foundations, earth retention and

ground treatment techniques to help you achieve your project goals.

to learn more, visit us at www.nicholsonconstruction.com

Dewatering and Groundwater ControlGround FreezingEarth Retention and Excavation SupportDeep FoundationsUnderpinning SystemsGrouting SystemsEnvironmental RemediationIndustrial Construction

144 Dexter DriveMonroeville, PA 15146Tel: 412-793-9303 | Fax: 412-793-9313

[email protected]

A 100% Employee Owned Company

MORETRENCH.COM

• Civil Site Development• Environmental Study & Design• Geotechnical Engineering• Water/Wastewater Engineering• Field Monitoring/Management

DBE & WOSB/WBEC CERTIFIED

Marcella G. Johnson, PE

4975 William Flynn Highway Suite 14Gibsonia, PA 15044

724-443-4111 www.rhea.us

Engineers & Consultants, Inc.

Continuing Education Made EasyPart 2:

Continuing Education Requirements for Pennsylvania Professional EngineersSam Shamsi, PE, F.ASCE

This is a multi-part series of short articles on Continuing Education. Part 1: Continuing Education Basics was published in the December 2013 issue. In this second part, we will explore the continuing education requirements for professional engineers licensed in Pennsylvania. The entire series can also be accessed from the Continuing Education page of the Pittsburgh Section Web site: http://www.asce-pgh.org/continuingeducation

State Registration BoardPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs provides administrative and legal support to 29 professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions including State Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. Professional licensing protects the health, safety and welfare of the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners. Professionals range from Engineers and Physicians to Cosmetologists and Funeral Directors.

In order to help safeguard life, health and property and to promote the public welfare, the practice of professional engineering, professional land surveying and professional geology in the Commonwealth requires continuing professional competency. Section 4.5(b) of the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law requires that each licensee shall be required to meet the continuing professional competency requirements as a condition for licensure renewal. The Board neither maintains a listing of continuing professional competency activities nor provides preapproval for any continuing professional competency activities, courses or providers. The following information is based on the content from Board’s Web site shown above (Pennsylvania State Board, 2013).

Pennsylvania Registration Board Definitions• Activity: any qualifying activity with a clear purpose and objective which will

maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to a licensee’s professional practice.

• College or unit semester hour or unit quarter hour: credit for courses in programs approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology or other related college courses.

• Continuing education unit: a unit of credit customarily used for continuing education courses.

• Course: any qualifying course with a clear purpose and objective which will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to a licensee’s professional practice.

• Professional development hour or PDH: 50 minutes of instruction or presentation relevant to professional practice or any equivalent.

Pennsylvania Continuing Professional Competency Requirements Each licensee is required to meet the continuing professional competency requirements as a condition for licensure renewal. Continuing professional competency obtained by a licensee should maintain, improve or expand skills and knowledge obtained prior to initial licensure, including law and ethics applicable to the profession, or develop new and relevant skills and knowledge. No credit is given for a course in practice building or office management.

If you cannot break away from your schedule to a classroom or conference course and you prefer reading a book and using a pencil, the good old fashioned correspondence course may be just the thing for you. See Author’s Web site www.GIS-Training.com for PA DEP approved 8 PDH GIS and GPS correspondence courses which offers 10% discount to Section members.

Each licensee is required to obtain 24 PDH units during the biennial renewal period. If a licensee exceeds the requirement in any renewal period, a maximum of twelve PDH units may be carried forward into the subsequent renewal period. PDH units may be earned as follows:

1. Successful completion of college courses relevant to professional practice.

2. Completion of continuing education courses relevant to professional practice.

3. Completion of correspondence, televised, videotaped and other short courses or tutorials relevant to professional practice.

4. Completion of seminars, employer-sponsored courses, workshops or professional or technical presentations made at meetings, conventions or conferences relevant to professional practice.

5. Teaching, presenting or instructing in any of the activities listed in clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4).

6. Authoring published papers, articles or books relevant to professional practice.

7. Obtaining patents relevant to professional practice.

Frequently Asked Questions Q. If I hold more than one type of license, must I take separate courses for each (e.g. 24 PDHs for engineering and an additional 24 PDHs for land surveying)?A. No, as long as a course relates to your professional practice in both fields, the PDH may apply to both license renewals.Q. Can I take courses online?A. Yes.

References and ResourcesPennsylvania State Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists (December 2013). Continuing Education Information, Web Page, http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_registration_board_for_professional_engineers,_land_surveyors_and_geologists/12510/continuing_education_information/804656

In the Next issue, we will continue with additional information on Continuing Education Requirements for Pennsylvania Professional Engineers.

For more information, contact Continuing Education Committee Chair Sam Shamsi, at [email protected]

Volume 97, Number 14 / January 2014 -3-

Blumling & Gusky, LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CONSULTING GEOTECHNICAL,FORENSIC, ENVIRONMENTAL

& MATERIALS SCIENCEENGINEERS

GARVIN

BUILT ON REPUTATION

BOWARD BEITKO

Garvin Boward Beitko Engineering, Inc.

Pittsburgh Office180 Bilmar Drive, Suite IVPittsburgh, PA 15205Phone: [email protected]

Somerset Office632 Center Avenue, Apt. ASomerset, PA 15501Phone: [email protected]

Engineering • Planning • Construction & Environmental Services

GAI-Pittsburgh385 East Waterfront DriveHomestead, PA 15120-5005412.476.2000 l gaiconsultants.com

Pittsburgh Section Opportunities to Learn and NetworkMaintain technical proficiency and current knowledge, and learn what other members, companies, organizations, and lawmakers are doing. Mark your calendars now.Member prices extend to non-member spouses or one guest of member, except as noted by ‘*’.

January 16, 2014, Thursday, YMF Engineers’ Structural Tour1. First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh2. 6 – 8 pm3. $10 at the door4. RSVP to Jaime-Lynn Widows, Jaime-

[email protected] 17, 2014 YMF Resume Book deadline

January 22, 20145. ACE mentoring6. 4 – 6 pm7. Structural Session on Wind Design8. Mascaro Corp9. Contact Linda Kaplan, 412-922-5575, [email protected]

January 23, 2014 Thursday, SEI Dinner1. Joint w/ABCD2. Sheraton Cranberry3. 6:00 pm.4. Ken Wright of HDR presenting on the Cleveland Inner Belt project5. Contact Linda Kaplan, 412-922-5575, [email protected]

January 23, 2014 Thursday, G-I Dinner1. Gaetano’s Restaurant2. 6:00 pm.3. $254. Mark D Mayle, PG, presenting on Geotechnical Design Services in the

Marcellus Shale Gas industry5. Reservations REQUIRED. Deadline January 17, 2014.6. Contact Kent Lindamood, 724-746-0730, [email protected]

February 3, 2014, Monday, STEM Career Symposium1. Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Waterfront2. Contact Leanne McConnell, [email protected]

February 7, 2014, Friday, EWRI luncheon – Water Quality Impacts from Leaking Sewers

1. ESWP 2. $203. Contact Jonathan Shimko, (412)-829-3609, [email protected]

February 22, 2014, Saturday, Engineers Week Awards Banquet 1. Guest Speaker: Brian O’Neill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist2. Contact Pat Sullivan, 412-249-1574, [email protected]. Register on line at www.asce-pgh.org4. ESWP5. 6:00 pm.6. $55 for members

February 27, 2014, Thursday, G-I dinner with Pittsburgh Geological Society

March 01, Saturday, Dodgeball1. Team-building fun!2. CMU University Center Gym3. 10:00 AM 4. $10/ person, $60/team5. To register, email [email protected]


www.lrkimball.com

615 West Highland AvenueEbensburg, PA • 814.472.7700

Frick Building, N. Mezzanine437 Grant Street

Pittsburgh, PA • 412.201.4900

Engineering Services Since 1956

Civil

Mining Geological

Geotechnical Environmental

Water Resources

275 Center Road, Monroeville, Pennsylvania 15146-1451 www.dappolonia.com 412/856-9440 fax: 412/856-9535

TRIAD Listens, Designs & Delivers.

Offices in: MD OH PA VA WV

Civil EngineeringGeotechnical EngineeringEnvironmental ServicesSurvey and MappingDrilling and SamplingLaboratory TestingConstruction Monitoring

More than 55 offices worldwide

Mercer, PA Phone: (724) 662-2402Pittsburgh, PA Phone: (412) 992-5575

Transportation

Geotechnical

Water Resources

Environmental

Structural

Electrical

stDDDDDDDeeeeeeeeffffffffiiinnnnniinnngggggg IIIIInnnnnnnnnnnnoooooooovvvvvvvvvaaaaaaaattttttiiiiiiiooooooonnnnnnnnn wwwwwwwiiiiiitttttttthhhhh SSSSSSSSuuuuuusssstainable Solutions

www.gannettf leming.com

010 ASCE PittsburghSectionNewsletter_ad.indd 1 3/10/2010 11:55:23 AM

YMF December DinnerOn Thursday, December 5, 2013, the ASCE Pittsburgh’s Younger Member Forum (YMF) hosted its annual December Dinner at the Pittsburgh Zoo’s PPG Aquarium. Itssuccess is due in part to the many sponsors that contributed: AECOM, UC Synergetic, KU Resources, Gannett Fleming, L.R. Kimball, The Lewis Consulting Group, Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering, Inc., D’Appolonia, and Rhea Engineers and Consultants, Inc.During the event, guests networked and viewed the various exhibits at the aquarium. Exhibits included a variety of fish, sharks, penguins and sting rays, which attendees were able to touch. Dinner was provided by “The Taste of the Wild Catering,” andcookies and drinks provided by the YMF.

The evening’s presentation was given by Harold McCutcheon of KU Resources and George Boehm of Noralco Corporation regarding the ‘Demolition of the Civic Arena’. The pair shared fascinating details about the demolition process. They also discussed what they learned about the construction of the arena and the various methods of demolition used throughout the job. Mr. McCutcheon and Mr. Boehm showed several videos to enable the attendees to gain a better understanding of the magnitude of this project and careful, controlled demolition in general. A copy of

the original 1957 plans of the arena were available for guests to view.

The YMF continued its tradition of collecting toys at the dinner and donating them to the Brasher Association Toy Drive.

For more information about YMF activities, contact Linda Kaplan, at Gannett Fleming, 412-922-5575, [email protected]

March 27, 2014, Thursday. Annual Sustainability Conference – all day seminar1. Phipps Conservatory2. Co-sponsored by Sustainable Pittsburgh

March 29, 2014, Saturday Annual Geotechnical Institute Short courseMay 8, 2014, Thursday. Post-Disaster Engineering – all day seminar

Learn or brush up on the skills and procedures for effectiveresponse when your town calls on your expertise to restore basic infrastructure after a disaster emergency.

May 16, 2014, Friday, EE for CEs – all day seminar1. Refresh your knowledge of the basic electrical engineering civil

engineers use every day.2. Circuits, Devices, Systems, Motors, Lighting, Controls, etc.3. Hilton Doubletree in Green Tree

July 21 - 23, SEEC (Shale Energy Engineering Conference)1. Lawrence Convention Center2. Share knowledge of how to enjoy the economic benefits and solve the problems to

the environment and health

-5-

Four Gateway Center - 20th FloorPittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 395-8888

Regional offices throughout the country

www.aecom.com

Project success through global reach and local knowledge

John Frydrych, P.E.300 Corbet Street, Suite 200 BTarentum, PA 15084-1817(724) 224-2330www.rasmithnational.com

Bridges/StructuresEcological ServicesLand Development EngineeringSite PlanningSurveyingVisualization3D Laser Scanning

Volume 97, Number 14 / January 2014

Construction Inspection ● Land Development ● Survey Traffic Engineering ● Transportation ● Structural

Pittsburgh State College

Selinsgrove sse-llc.com






















National Engineers’ Week @ the Carnegie Science Center

The time is here again! ASCE-Pittsburgh Section is once again hosting our Civil Engineering Display at the Carnegie Science Centers for their E-Week festivities. E-Week is a great opportunity for us to provide insight into our profession to the future students of engineering. Please take a few hours and help ASCE show these school age children why we practice Civil Engineering.When: Friday & Saturday, February 14-15, 2014 (2 or 4 hour time slots)Where: Carnegie Science Center, North Shore (next to Heinz Field)Why: To bring the knowledge and experience to show kids K-12 the numerous opportunities our profession can offer. (Who knows, you may be inspiring a future employee.)Volunteers will demonstrate a variety of Civil Engineering principle using hands-on displays and models of real-life civil engineering challenges. Also, we will be answering questions and providing information to schools and other community organizations. This year we will be adding some new displays! We would like to have 3 to 4 people per time slot.College Students this is an excellent networking opportunity! And don’t forget your free T-Shirt!Please check the Pittsburgh Section website for a list of available time slots. The list will be updated every weekday. To sign up or obtain more information, contact Don Splitstone, P.E., at [email protected] or by phone at (412) 965-0257.


08 ASCE_Pittsburgh.indd 1 10/27/2008 3:07:11 PM

1000 John Roebling Way • Saxonburg, PA 15056p. 724-443-1533 • f. 724-443-8733

www.brayman.com

Heavy Civil and Geotechnical ContractorsFoundations • Heavy Civil • Demolition • Steel Erection

503 Martindale Street, Suite 500 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212

412.201.5500

TMDL PART 6In the last newsletter articles the basics of TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) were introduced, why one should be interested, what they are, how they are developed, and formulating a TMDL to address sources of water pollution.

TMDLs on water bodies were compared to the total load applied to a bridge.

Background information is collected in an Aquatic Life Use survey (ALU survey). Some of the sources of pollution might be livestock grazing, acid mine drainage (AMD), fertilizer runoff, and water reclamation plant discharges. The effect on different organisms is measured. A new TMDL in a new watershed is compared to known performance and conditions in other similar watersheds with available TMDL data.

This information is based on a presentation made to members of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute in the Pittsburgh Section of ASCE by Bill Brown, Chief of the TMDL Development Section in the Division of Watershed Protection of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

TMDL Implementation1. Nonpoint Sources – LAs (Load allocations – the background or ‘dead’ load.)

• Non-regulatory framework driven by stakeholder/citizen efforts2. Point Source Discharges – WLAs (Waste Load Allocations – the applied or ‘live

load)• Implemented directly into dischargers NPDES permit• Permits issued in TMDL watersheds must be “consistent with the

assumptions and requirements of the TMDL…”• Explicit WLAs for individual dischargers are translated by the permit engineer

to effluent limits (NPDES permit contains numeric limits for the pollutants of concern addressed by the TMDL)

• Explicit WLAs that may also be addressed through TMDL percent reduction and design efficiencies for BMP-based permits

• Bulk allocations sometimes used for classes of dischargers/permits where:i. Permits are non-numeric (BMP-based)ii. Individual loads are de minimusiii. Permitted discharges are temporary and transient

• Reductions usually assigned by land use on a watershed/subwatershed basis3. Implementation success based on aggressive CDs (Consent Decrees) and other

stakeholder groups pursuing grants4. TMDL watersheds get high priority for DEP Growing Greener grants

What if one doesn’t agree with the TMDL assessment?The watershed can be reassessed, but -• An assessment of equal or greater rigor is required to delist a water body• Progress must be demonstrated in achieving downstream water quality• Interim assessments could entail surveys other than, or in addition to,

macroinvertebrates

For more information, contact Bill Brown, at PADEP, 717-783-2951, [email protected]

How’s it workin’ out for ya?

-7-

412.754.0801 www.eadsgroup.com

Engineering Architecture and Design Services

Since 1955

Altoona - Clarion - Johnstown - Pittsburgh - Somerset - Cumberland

when quality matters

3121 FAIRWAY DRIVE ALTOONA PA 16602 FAX 814.943.8494 www.gdfengineers.com

814.943.5214


Gibson-Thomas Engineering Co., Inc. Consulting Engineers ISO 9001-2008 Certified

Established 1916 Water Wastewater Bridge & Highway Civil & Municipal

Corporate Office: 1004 Ligonier Street P.O. Box 853 Latrobe, PA 15650 Telephone: (724) 539-8562 [email protected]

Harrisburg Area Office 717-612-9880 Pittsburgh Area Office 724-935-8188 Clarion Area Office 724-526-2190 Indiana Area Office 724-471-2246

www.gibson-thomas.com

• • •

www.cecinc.com

Civil & Site Development EngineeringLand Survey Services

Environmental ServicesEcological ServicesWaste Management

Water Resources

333 Baldwin Road | Pittsburgh, PA 15205Tele: 412.429.2324

4000 Triangle Lane | Suite 200 | Export, PA 15632Tele: 724.327.5200

Chicago | Cincinnati | Cleveland | Columbus | DetroitIndianapolis | Nashville | Phoenix | Pittsburgh | St. Louis

The Newsletter is published monthly except June, July and August. Electronic copies are delivered to all Pittsburgh Section members. Hard copies are mailed on request to the editor.Deadlines for all material is the first Friday of the month prior to publication. To change your address and to update your membership information, go to the website www.asce.org and select “Update Your Membership” under the “Members Only” link, or call (800) 548-2723 and ask for the membership department. Also contact the editor so that the change(s) can be made to the local database.

This will NOT update your ASCE Pittsburgh Section E-Newsletter subscription Please update your E-Newsletter subscription at http://lists.asce.org/mailman/listinfo/ascepittsburghsection. To have the E-newsletter sent to another address you must unsubscribe the old address and subscribe with the new address.

Disclaimer: The American Society of Civil Engineers and the Pittsburgh Section are not responsible for any statement made or opinion expressed in this publication. Editorials represent the official policy of the Pittsburgh Section.

Acting Editor: Karl Sieg, P.E.Phone: (724) 935-2040Email: [email protected]

American Society of Civil Engineers

c/o Engineer’s Society of Western PA337 Fourth AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15222

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPittsburgh, PA

Permit No. 768

IN THIS ISSUE

Pittsburgh Section Newsletter -8-

American Societyof Civil Engineerswww.asce-pgh.org

Transportation Act Brings NeededRepairs & Construction Jobs ..................1

Continuing Education Made Easy (Pt.2) ..2-3

Pittsburgh Section Opportunities toLearn & Network .................................4-5

YMF December Dinner ............................5

National Engineers Week at theCarnegie Science Center.........................6

TMDL Part 6 ..........................................7

S«SORTPOSITION»T«TRAYNUMBER»B«BUNDLENUMBER»«ENDORSEMENTLINE»«FULLNAME»«TITLE»«BUSINESS»«ADDRESSLINE1»«ADDRESSLINE2»«CITYSTATEZIPCODE»

«IMB ARCO DE»
